Financial Aid

Students of Kenyan nationality at USIU-Africa can apply for loans from HELB as long as they meet the required criteria. Interested applicants must commence the application process by registering online to enable them access HELB loan forms. A Personal Identification Number (PIN) from the Kenya Revenue Authority is required later on in the process.

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USIU-Africa offers merit and need based grants to continuing students to assist in paying school fees. Students must have completed a semester at USIU-Africa to apply.

Vice Chancellor's Grant

This is a 25% tuition-only scholarship for continuing undergraduate students.

International Grant

This is a merit-based 25% tuition-only grant for continuing full-time international (non-Kenyan) undergraduate students.

Eligibility Criteria for the Vice Chancellor’s and International Grants

Students must demonstrate financial need.

Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 to remain eligible.

Continuous enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student

Fulfill all financial aid application procedures.

Special Need Grant

This is a need-based grant available to all students who experience sudden financial hardships and are unable to meet their tuition obligations. Amounts granted will vary according to need, number of applicants and availability of funds.

Under this program, financial hardships may include the sudden death of the guardian, sudden withdrawal of sponsor from paying tuition fees or any other significant but relevant situation as determined by the Financial Aid Committee.

Eligibility Criteria:

Students must complete the relevant financial aid application procedures.

Continuous enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student with good academic standing (minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0).

Provide a written statement and attach proof explaining the circumstances for financial need.

Applicants must provide a plan on how they expect to meet their future tuition obligations.

Student Affairs Council (SAC) Grant

This is a combined merit and need based 25% tuition-only grant introduced by SAC for continuing undergraduate students. The grant is limited to a maximum of KES 100 000 per academic year.

Eligibility Criteria:

Students must complete the relevant financial aid application procedures.

Continuous enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better.

Provide a written statement and attach proof explaining the circumstances for financial need.

Family Tuition Waiver

This is a 10% tuition waiver in recognition of parents/guardians or sponsors who continue to support USIU-Africa.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for this grant, two nuclear family members must have previously or concurrent be enrolled at USIU-Africa. Proof of blood relationship is required.

Continuous enrollment as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student and have a cumulative G.P.A of 2.0 (at undergraduate level) and a cumulative G.P.A of 3.0 (at graduate level).

Applicants must be NOT be enrolled executive graduate and doctoral programs.

Alumni Graduate Tuition Waiver

United States International University - Africa is offering a 10% tuition fee waiver on for all its alumni who are pursuing their graduate studies at USIU-Africa and meet the eligibility criteria given below.

The Financial Aid Committee will decide on the recipients one week after the graduate orientation and feedback communicated to students. The discount is not transferable for any other purpose apart from tuition. Beneficiaries of this grant will not be eligible for Family Tuition Waiver or the Legatee Tuition Waiver.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from USIU-Africa

Applicants must be fully paid-up members of the USIU – Africa Alumni Association prior to applying for the grant.

Applicants must complete application procedures.

Applicants must be NOT be enrolled executive graduate and doctoral programs.

Beneficiaries must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 and above for continued eligibility.

Legatee Tuition Waiver

This is a 10% tuition waiver to children of fully paid-up members of the Alumni Association. This waiver may be availed to eligible applicants upon admission.

Eligibility Criteria:

Complete appropriate Financial Aid application form.

Be children of fully paid up members of the USIU-Africa Alumni Association.

USIU-Africa offers scholarships to bright and needy students who would like to join the university, for their undergraduate studies. All scholarships except the Sports Scholarship, are advertised on the USIU-Africa website and in any of the two major Kenyan daily newspapers (The Daily Nation and The Standard) in the spring (April) of every semester. The selection/interview process takes place in July of the summer semester and the recipients are awarded the scholarship in September of the fall semester of every year.

Full USIU-Africa Scholarship

This covers the full costs of tuition, books, computer laboratory, and room and board fees in the university hostels for two applicants (female and male).

Eligibility Criteria:

Applications must have sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations not more than one year prior to the award.

Have attained a mean grade of B+ (Plus) or better, with at least a B plain in English and Mathematics in KCSE.

Successful candidates must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 and above to remain eligible.

Partial USIU-Africa Scholarship

The Partial USIU-Africa Scholarship covers 100% tuition cost for one female and one male candidate.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must have sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations (KCSE) not more than one year prior to the award.

Have attained a mean grade of B (plain) or better, with at least a B- in English and Mathematics in KCSE.

Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 and above to remain eligible.

DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

The university aims to reach out to specific vulnerable members of the society through the Diversity Scholarship. Through this the university aims at among other things:

Promote education and development among the vulnerable members of the society.

Assist bright but needy students from vulnerable populations gain university education.

These scholarships are divided into:

Scholarships for Under-represented Communities

There are two (2) tuition only scholarships for the under-represented and under-privileged bright students from Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) regions of Kenya, and one (1) similar scholarship for applicants from informal settlements in the neighborhood of USIU-Africa.

Sports Scholarships

There are two categories of Sports Scholarship 40% and 65% tuition discount. The main objective of these scholarships is to assist needy students with sporting talent pay part of their tuition costs.

Note: Any beneficiary injured while playing for the school team and confirmed by the doctor that he/she cannot continue playing will continue benefiting from the scholarship so long as he/she meets other eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must meet all other Financial Aid application procedures and requirements.

Demonstrate financial need.

Must also maintain a GPA of 2.0, and be registered for a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 12 units to remain eligible.

Be a member of a university sports team.

Be recommended by the relevant team patron and the Sports Activities Coordinator.

Participate in all team sport engagements.

Sports Scholarship for Freshmen

This is a 40% tuition-only scholarship for students in sports disciplines that are relevant to the needs of the university’s sports programs. This are advertised in high schools, relevant sports events and sports organizations during the summer (May) semester, and processed at the end of the summer semester, then awarded in the fall (September) semester. Preference is given to students with national-level certificates.

The scholarship is awarded to successful applicants upon admission and is renewable subject to the students fulfilling all the necessary requirements.

Sports Scholarships for Continuing Students

This is a 25% tuition-only sports scholarship for continuing students who are not on the Sports Scholarship for freshmen.

Institutional Scholarships Application Requirements

Applications for any institutional scholarship program must be accompanied by the following:

An application letter

Copies of the relevant certificates certified by the Principal or Head Teacher

School Leaving Certificate

A recommendation letter from the Principal or Head Teacher of High School Attended

An essay detailing your background information and degree you wish to pursue

Reasons why you deserve the scholarship

Criminal Justice Scholarship

Criminal Justice is the government controlled systematic practice of applying laws for the purpose of social control in society; and for the prevention and lessening of crime; and using courts and legal procedure, which necessitates penalties and sanctions for law violations.

USIU-Africa is committed to supporting the government realize its academic goals by providing 5 partial academic scholarships that cover 50% of tuition-cost to Kenyan civil servants seeking to pursue a USIU-Africa Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Studies program.

REQUIREMENTS: Applications must be accompanied by a scholarship application form, a KCSE (O-Level )Certificate, copies of other relevant certificates, an essay detailing the reasons why they deserve the scholarship and finally a recommendation letter from the employer (immediate supervisor or department head)

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These are 25% tuition-only merit awards for eligible applicants already admitted into the graduate programs offered at USIU-Africa.

There are six (6) scholarships per semester for the top 6 applicants for the MBA and M.Sc. IST programs, with the highest GPA in their undergraduate studies. Students who receive this awards must maintain a Cumulative GPA of 3.2 and above, and register for a minimum of 6 units every semester to remain eligible.

There are also nine (9) scholarships every year for the top 9 applicants for the M.A. Counselling Psychology, M.A. International Relations, M.A. Clinical Psychology and M.A. Communication Studies, with the highest GPA in their undergraduate studies. Students who receive this awards must maintain a Cumulative GPA of 3.0 and above, and register for a minimum of 6 units every semester to remain eligible.

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This provides part-time employment opportunities for full-time students at USIU-Africa who demonstrate financial need.

Campus Work Opportunity (CWO)

The Campus Work Opportunity (CWO) program provides part-time employment opportunities for full-time undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need.

Eligibility Criteria:

Complete the relevant financial aid application forms and processes.

Continuous enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student

Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better.

Be willing to work for 10-15 hours per week for a maximum of 195 hours per semester in the assigned department in the university at the stipulated hourly rate.

Resident Assistantship (RA)

The program is restricted to undergraduate students meeting the eligibility criteria. There are four slots for Resident Assistantships i.e. two female and two male students. Whenever positions become vacant, they are advertised on internal communications mediums.

Applicants are selected through an interview process conducted by both the Financial Aid and the Housing Offices. Resident Assistants support the Housing Officer in administrative duties in return for room and board in the university hostel.

Eligibility Criteria:

Demonstrate ability to cater for their tuition costs.

Continuous enrollment as a full-time student with a minimum cumulative G.P.A of 3.0 or better and maintain the same to remain eligible.

Have attained sophomore level

Demonstrate leadership, organizational and decision-making skills, as well as an ability to work within a team.

Have a clean disciplinary record

Be willing to work for a renewable period of one year.

Have positive evaluations from the Head of Housing for continued eligibility

Graduate Assistantship

The Graduate Assistant [GA] program is for full-time graduate students who have demonstrated financial need and good academic achievement. Graduate Assistants assist faculty with research work, conducting seminars, and teaching selected classes for up to 20 hours per week for 13 weeks each semester.

Positions for Graduate Assistantship are dependent on faculty needs and will be awarded on a competitive basis.

Eligibility Criteria:

Complete appropriate Financial Aid application procedures.

Continues enrollment as a full-time graduate student.

Have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better and maintain to remain eligible.

Doctoral Teaching & Research Assistantship

The Doctoral Teaching and Research Assistant programs are available exclusively to doctoral students. Teaching and Research Assistants will assist faculty with research work, conducting seminars, and teaching selected classes for up to 20 hours per week for 13 weeks each semester. The hourly wage for these programs will be Kshs.200. A total of 260 hours shall be worked per semester and payments done at the end of every semester after all the time sheets have been received in the Financial Aid office.

Teaching and Research Assistant’s positions are dependent on faculty needs and will be awarded on competitive basis on a first come, first served basis.

Eligibility Criteria:

Complete appropriate Financial Aid application procedures.

Must be in session during the semester he/she is on either of the programs

Have an incoming cumulative GPA of 3.3 from their graduate program and maintain it for continued eligibility.

Register for a minimum of 6 units per semester for continuity eligibility.

Work Study Programs Application Requirements

A typed letter indicating the name of the aid program applied for and why you need financial aid.

Certified copies of at least two (2) of the following documents are required to verify last family income.

The university continues to seek partners to help fund the Financial Aid programs. The following are some of the partners currently funding scholarships at USIU-Africa. Please note that the availability of these grants and scholarships largely depends on funding from sponsors.

Leap Fellowship Program

Do you need help in financing your USIU-Africa education?

In partnership with USIU-Africa, we are pleased to announce a new student financing program available for new and continuing USIU-Africa students pursuing certain degree programs. The LEAP Program is a fellowship program designed to provide aspiring students like you with affordable financing to pursue quality higher education, as well as to support you throughout your studies and in your future job search. Read More

Rattansi Education Trust Fund Grant

Funds are awarded in the fall semester of every year. The Rattansi Education Trust Foundation makes decisions on the amounts to be awarded to successful applicants. The awards may range from KES 5,000 to KES 100, 000 annually. The USIU-Africa Financial Aid Office notifies successful awarded students as soon as the funds are received from the Trust Foundation.

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Download the Scholarship application form hereThe United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) Financial Aid Office is committed to supporting the university achieve its Vision and Mission of providing quality all round education to a diversified population of students through its academic programs.

The primary goal of the USIU-Africa Financial Aid Office is to provide students with full access to all available sources of both internal and external financial assistance in order to meet their educational costs while pursuing their studies at USIU-Africa.

Objectives of USIU-Africa's Financial Aid programs

Enhance and encourage scholarship among the students.

Enable eligible applicants from socio-economically under-privileged communities attain quality education from one of the most reputable institutions in the region.

Recognize and promote sport talent among the students and youth in general.

Enhance diversity in student enrollments thus encouraging multi-cultural appreciation and interaction among students from different nationalities and socio-economic backgrounds.

Help in the career development of students through Campus Work Opportunities and Graduate Assistantships.

Financial Aid Policy and Regulations

Financial Aid is not refundable to students under any circumstances.

Award of grants/ scholarships depends on availability of funds.

Students who apply for need based Financial Aid programs will be required to provide all the necessary documentary evidence alongside their applications.

Scholarships will be advertised in the major Kenya daily newspapers. Interested applicants can also contact the Financial Aid Office for further information.

All Financial Aid applicants will be notified about the status of their applications within seven days from the date of the interview (for continuing students) or upon admission (if new students).

Students may apply for more than one Financial Aid program depending on circumstances and eligibility.

Unless specified, all USIU-Africa students who meet the required criteria are eligible for financial aid.

Students of Kenyan nationality with financial need must apply for HELB funds if they qualify for the same.

Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Recipients of financial aid must maintain specified academic requirements to remain eligible. Students who their Cumulative GPA drops below expected standards loose the financial aid program they are on until they improve their GPA to continue benefiting.

Awards are available from the moment of approval and cannot be back-dated.

Definition of Terms

N/B. These terms are defined as per USIU policy.

Under-Privileged/Underrepresented/Marginalized Communities - This are people not enjoying the same standard of living as the majority of people in a society. These are students who have been brought up in slums and from arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya. This areas Include;

Diversity - This includes individual differences along the dimensions of socio-economic status and physical abilities.

Informal Settlements in the Neighborhood of USIU Africa - This are students who have been brought up in slums in the neighborhood of USIU. This areas include; Mathare, Korogocho, Marurui, Roysambu,

Multicultural - relating to, or constituting several cultural or ethnic groups within a society.

Cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average) - this is the weighted mean value of all grade points a student has earned since enrollment at USIU-Africa

Tuition - this is total cost of units (courses) taken every semester at USIU. This cost does not include library, medical and student activity fee or any other charges.

Merit based - These awards are based on a student's academic, artistic, athletic or other abilities, and often factor in an applicant's extracurricular activities.

Need Based - these awards are based on the student and family's financial record and require applicants to fill out a financial aid application form and attach relevant documents to verify the financial aid position of the family. These documents are stated in the financial aid application form.

Grants - Gift aid that is awarded based on demonstrated financial need. Grants do not have to be repaid.

Scholarships/Waivers - Gift aid that is awarded based on a variety of factors such as academic achievement, talent, leadership, geographical location, field-of-study and/or financial need. Scholarships do not have to be repaid.

Loans - Funds that are borrowed from HELB and other financial institutions to help pay for educational expenses. Loans must be repaid back to HELB and those financial institutions, usually with interest.

Employment - Funds that can be earned by working (Work Study and Graduate Assistant) in exchange for wages. Employment earnings ado not have to be repaid.